Title This: Impact Wrestling Reaction May 23rd, 2013

The Undercard

Suicide defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams in an match pitting X-Division opponents against one another. I enjoyed watching this match for the sole purpose of good and exciting wrestling. Joey Ryan is a really good heel, even though he is not utilized to his full potential. When I see Ryan, I see a combination of Rick Rude and Mr. Perfect. He has the look and the arrogance of both of those superstars. He hits a few of his offensive moves, but Williams would try and set him up for a Canadian Destroyer. Suicide comes in and hits his finisher, which came off great on television. At the end of the match, it did nothing to progress a storyline of any sort. Do we really care that Suicide is back?

Grade: C+

Magnus defeated Wes Brisco by disqualification. Like many people, I see a lot of talent in Magnus. This match was not supposed to happen, but Gut Check contestant Sam Shaw was attacked by Brisco. Brisco and Magnus exchange some good blows, but Magnus catches Brisco with a beautiful suplex. Magnus is very smooth in the ring, continues to improve, and has great marketability. TNA is popular overseas and he could very well be a big hit in the future for this company. The Aces and Eights cause the DQ, which prompts Samoa Joe to come out. The ending was predictable. This has happened too many times in TNA, where a young star gets a cheap win and they continue to recycle the same thing with Joe. Where is the really good outcome of this match? Neither guy would suffer too much harm for a clean loss. If anything, Magnus NEEDED that.

Grade: B-

Ken Anderson defeated Kurt Angle in a really good match. First off, it is always a treat to see Angle wrestle. The chemistry he has with every guy who steps foot in the ring with him is special. Angle controls much of the match, like he should, and grounds Anderson. Anderson has to be thrifty to get his offense in. He is sly and smart, attacks at certain points, and takes advantage of the small details. Angle kicked out of Anderson's Mic Check, as well as throwing him off the top rope. AJ Styles was seen in the crowd. He distracted Angle, which allowed Anderson to low blow him for the win. Once again, how is this making a stable look strong when they consistently have to cheat to win? I do not see The Shield doing this to pick up victories.

Grade: B

Mickie James defeated Velvet Sky to win the TNA Knockouts Championship. As we headed into the championship match, we knew that Velvet was worried about her knee. She was not 100 percent and Mickie James talked to her about it. Friendship was shown before, but was it shown during the match? I am exteremely happy that James won the title tonight for a few reasons. When you are continuing to build a division and bring in fresh faces, it is crucial that the leader (champion) of the division is a veteran who has done it all and seen it all. You can tell how good James really is. She is intelligent, focuses on the weak link of her opponents, and continues to keep a fast paced enviorment. Women's matches need to be fast paced and fluent. If it is slower and dragged out, the fans tune out. James hits Sky in the knee and then connected with a DDT. Logical and sensible finish that will keep the door open for Sky to exact revenge.